Draft device



E. G. HINES AND C. S. MYERS.

DRAFT DEVICE.

APPLIC'ATION FILED MAY29, 1920.

Humm o@ D@ m.,

E. G. HINES AND C. S. MYERS.

DRAFT DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAYZQ. 1920.

Patented Dec. 6, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

E. G. HINES AND C. S. MYERS.

DRAFT DEVICE.

N El En MVAY 1,399,300. 'im Patented Dec. 6, 1921.

3 SHEETS SHEET 3 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.,`

EDWIN G. HINES, 0F DRUMS, AND'CHARLES S. MYERS, OF HAZLETON, PENNSYL- VANIA; SAID MYERS ASSIGNOR T0 SAID I-IINES.-

DRAFT DEVICE.

Application inea may 29, 1920.

To @ZZ whom t may concern.'

vBe it known that we, EDWIN G. HrNns and CHARLES S. MYERS, citizens of the United States, residing at Drums and Hazleton, respectively, in the county of Luzerne and State of Pennsylvania,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Draft Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in draft ldevices especially adapted for use in connection with plows.

An important object of 'this invention is to provide a device of the class described having novel means for yieldably connecting the beam of a plow to a source of power so that, when the strain on the plow share is increased as the result of engaging a stump or other obstruction, the beam will be permitted to partake of a limited rearward movement with relation to the source of power, whereby a portion of the shock is absorbed. K

A further object of this invention is to provide a device of the class described having novel means whereby the connection between the plow beam and the source of power may be automatically broken as the load increases to an extent sufficient to break the plow share or damage the same.

A furtherl object of the invention is to provide a device of the class described having novel means whereby the cutting angle of the plow share may be readily and conveniently adjusted without interfering with the ability of the device to absorb shocks and break the connection between the plow and the source of power when the load becomes excessive.

A further obj ect of the invention is to'provide a device of the class described Vwhich is of highly simplified construction, efficient in use and cheap to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the in: vention will be apparent during Vthe course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same, l

Figure 1 is a side elevation kof the improved draft device in use,

Fig. 2 is a plan view ofthe same applied,

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary Vtl'iorizvontal'seciion throughs@ Specification of Letters Patent.

loperating the plow in lieu of .bers 17.

Patented Dec. 6, 1921i.

Serial No. 385,278.

Fig. 4 is a central vertical longitudinal section through the same,

Fig; 5 is a side elevation of the device, the view illustrating the various positions of the same with relation vto the plow,

Fig. Gis a perspective of'a portion of the draft device, A

Fig. 7 is a group perspective of the releasinfr means for the plow beam.

n the drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 10 designates the beam of a plow provided as usual with a downwardly extending share 11. In this instance the source of power is in the nature of a tractor 12 though it is obvious that draft animals may lbe employed for the motor operated tractor.

The improved draft device herein illustrated and forming the Subj ect of this application comprises a body member 15 which includes a head 16 and a pair of spaced parallel rearwardlyv extending side meni- Yshank 18 with relation to the headV forms .pairs ofsh'oulders23 on opposite sides of the shank 18 'and adjacent the upper and lower'sides of the same, which shoulders flatly engage the front ends of the side members 17 for strengthening the connection between the parts.

The opposed sides of the spaced parallel l side members l? are adapted to be arranged on opposite sides of the forward portion of the plow beam and are provided with downwardly inclined slots25 communicating with longitudinally extending slots 26. As particularly illustrated in Fig. 6, the longitudinally extending slots 26 formed in the opposed faces of the side members 17 extend rearwardly from and have communication with downwardly exngdingfslea 27 le other words, it might be said that the slots 26 and 27 in each side member 17 form a single L-shaped slot having communication with the rearwardly inclined slot extending out through the upper side of the member 17. A driving connection is provided be# tween the forward portion of the beam 10 and said draft head or body 15 throughthe medium of laterally projecting lugs or pins 28 which, when in their final position, are seated in the lower ends of the vertical slots 27. When a forward pull is exertedon the body7 15 the rear vertical walls of the'slots 27 are engaged with the adjacent sides of the pins 28 whereby a forward pull is applied to the beam l0. When it is desired to remove the beam 10 from connection with the draft body 15,the pins 28 are moved upwardly and rearwardly through the slots 26, and then upwardly and out throught-he rearwardly inclined slots 25. i

The head 16 of the body 15 isfprovided with a longitudinally extending elongated slot 30 through which a connecting bolt31 is extended. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the bolt is extended through apertures in a pair of ears 33 forming a part of a clevis 34 connected to the draw bar cap 36 of the tractor through the medium of a connecting pin 37. The apertured ears 33 of the clevis 34are arranged in spaced parallel relation on opposite sides of the head 16 and inwardly of the apertured heads 39 of a pair of draft rods 40. .y i

Thel draft rods 40 which have connection with the clevis through the medium of the bolts 31, are slidably extended through pairs of laterally projecting ears 42 formed on opposite sides of the side members 17.

A yieldable driving connection is provided between the rods 4() and the laterall projecting ears 42 of the side members l; by a pair of retractile coil springs 43 `which surround the rods and are confined between one ear of each pair and tensioning nuts 44 hav ing threaded engagement with the free end portions of theV rods. `When a forward pull is exerted on the clevis 34, the `draft rods 40 are of course moved forwardly and when the load is not unusually great the retrae tile coil springs 43 will contract but a small extent and will transmit thepull to the side members 17 through the forward ears 42. The forward pull thus exerted on the side members 17 is transmitted through the pins 28 to the beam 1() of the` plow so that the plow is caused to move forwardly with the tractor. When the share of the plow is being moved through ground not unusually hard, the springs 43 will yield only slightly and,.should the plow share engage a tree stump or other obstruction, the draft rods 44 will be moved forwardly with relation to the laterally projectingk ears 42 whereby a yieldable drivlljlg @,Onnetion is provided between the plow share and the tractor. The

yieldable driving connection thus provided `absorbs the shock transmitted through the beam toV a "considerable extent so that the `tractor is not subjected to injurious strains.

The yieldable connection between the plow share and the tractor as above described serves only as al means for absorbing minor shocks incident totravel and is not adapted `the plow share engaging an obstruction suflicient to break the share if the pull is continued, comprises a pair of spaced parallel.V

dogs 50.0f elongated formation. The dogs 50 act as a tripping or elevating device for removing thev laterally projecting pins 28 from the vertical slots 27 when the strain on the draft head 15 exceeds the resisting capacity of the retractile coil springs 43. The forward portions of the spaced parallel dogs 50 are slidablyarranged in longitudinally extending grooves 51 formed in opposite sides of thel head 16 and alined with longitudinal grooves 52 in opposite sides of the side members 17. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the spaced iarallel dogs 50 are provided in their forwarc portions with elongated slots 53 alined with the elongated slot 30 formed in the head 16 and receiving the transversely extending connecting bolt 31. It will be noted that the dogs and consequently the slots 53 terminate short of the forward end of the slot 30 so that the forward end walls of the slots 53 will be engaged by the bolt 31 prior to the engagement of the bolt with the forward end ofthe slot 30. That is to say, when the clevis 33 moves the bolt 31 for- .wardly, the dogs 50 will be engaged and moved forwardly before the bolt 31 reaches the limit of its forward movement. Under ordinary conditions the draft ,rods 40 position'the bolt 31 approximately in the intermediate port-ions of the slots 53 so that the dogs are not 4inoved forwardly until the springs 43 have yielded considerably and the forward movement of the rods 40 is continued.

As illustrated in Fig. 7 theiear portions of the dogs 50 are formed with longitudinally extending slots 55, the upper sides 56 of which normally overhang the pins 23 for locking the same in the vertical slots 27. The pair ofspaced p-arallel dogs 50 are connected for simultaneous` movement by a trans-V versely extending connecting pin 57 joined with the dogs intermediate their ends.

As particularlyillustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, the head 16 is formedwith a longitudinally extending socket 56 which receives a retractile'coil spring 59 engaging the transversely extending eolmectingpin l57f0r urg in the slots.

ing the spaced parallel dogs rearwardly with relation to the head. By this means the longitudinally extending slots 55 of the dogs are urged rearwardly so that the upper' sides 56 of the slots 55 are caused to overhang the pins 28 for securing the latter within the slots 27. The reduced shank 18 of the head 16 is provided with slots 60 on opposite sides of the retractile coil spring 59 so that lthe pin may partake of a limited movement longitudinally of the head.

When the load is increased to an extent sufficient to contract the springs 43, the pin or bolt 31 is of course moved relatively forwardly in the slot 30 of the head 16 and is caused to engage Ythe forward end walls of the slots 53 so that the dogs are caused to move forwardly. This occurs only when the load is suiicient to contract the coil springs -43 to an extent greater than will allow the coil springs to absorb the shock. ln other words, when the load becomes excessive, the bolt 31 is moved forwardly for imparting a corresponding movement to the dogs. This forward movement of the dogs causes the overhanging portions 56 of the same to be removed from above the slots 27 so that no means remain for confining the pins 28 with- As the forward movement of the dogs continues elevating devices or ejectors in the form of shoulders 61 having-their forward ends inclined, as indicated at 62, are engaged with the adjacent sides of the pins 28 for removing the same from within the slots 27. Then the pins 28 are removed from wit-hin the slots 27 the same enter the longitudinal slots 26 and are passed out through the upwardly inclined slots 25 thereby releasing the driving' connection between the plow beam and the body 15.

The inclination of the plow share 11 may be varied by adjusting the position of the beam 10 with relation to the body 15. The adjusting means for the beam 10 comprises a pair of laterally projecting lugs 65 extended out through opposite sides of the beam and selectively received in pairs of vertically spaced recesses 66in the rear ends of the side members 17. Bysetting the laterally projecting lugs 65 in the lowermost pair of recesses 66, the beam and consequently the plow share is inclined only slightly, and by positioningf the laterally projecting lugs 65 in the uppermost pair of recesses 66, the cutting depth of the plow share 11 is increased. This adjustment may beV effected without in any way interfering with the shock absorbing means or with the operation of the means for breaking the driving connection between the body 15 and the plow beam when the strain becomes excessive.

It will readily be observed that the draft body and the dogs may move pivotally about the bolt 31. Consequently, the side members and the dogs maybe inclined relative to the plow beam'and the upper edges of the side members disposed under the lugs 28 which may thus be easily caused to register with and enter the slots 25 in the side members. Then, of course, the shifting of the draft body longitudinally rearward with respect to the beam will bring the lugs or pins 2S through the slots 26 to the slots 27 in which they will be locked by properly adjusting the dogs', the beam being thereby securely coupled to the draft body. The body 15 may be connected to the source of power, which in this case is the tractor 12, through the medium of the clevis 34. As the tractor propels the plow, theretractile coil springs yield to an extent sutlicient .to absorb slight increasesin the load as the result of the plow share striking a rock or other obstacle. Of course, when the clevis exerts a forward pull on the bolt 31, the bolt partakes of a limited movement within the slots 30 and 53 but under ordinary circumstances the incr-ease in the load will not vbe sufficient to cause the bolt 28 to move the dogs 50 forwardly. However, should the plow share engage a large stump orother obstruction which would be likely to injure the plow share or the tractor, the coil Vsprings 43 will yield so as to allow the draft rods 40 to partake of a longitudinal movement through the apertured ears lf2. This longitudinal movement of the draft rods d0 is accompanied by a forward movement vof the bolt 31 within the slots SO and 53. Then the bolt on its forward movement engages the end walls of the slots 53, the dogs are Caused to move for vardly so that the overhanging portions 56 ofthe same are removed from above the pins 28. The continued forward movement of the dogs 50 causes the ejectors 62 of the same to be engaged with the pins 28 whereupon the pins will pass out through the rearwardly extending slots 26 and thence out through the upwardly and rearwardly inclined slots 'In this manner the source of power is automatically disconnected from the plow beam when the strain or load becomes greater than is safe for the plow share or the tractor,

1t is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred embodiment of the same and that such minor changes in construction anc. arrangement of parts may be made as will remain within the spirit of the invention and the scope of what is claimed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. In a draft device, the combination of a body member having a head provided with a longitudinal slot closed at its ends, a bolt .extending through said slot,means mounted on said bolt for connecting the same to a source of power, draft rods mounted on said body member and engaged by said bolt, springs providing a driving connection between said draft rods and said body member, means for coupling the body member to a device to be towed, and a releasing device slidably mounted upon said bolt and adapted to disconnect said coupling means.

2. In a draft device, the combination of a relatively fixed body member, means whereby the same may be connected to a source of power, a beam, a stationary seat in fixed position on said body member, draftap plying means on the `beam engaging in the seat on the body member, cushioninor means for absorbing minor increases in tlie load, and means carried by the body member to release said draft-applying means from the seat on the body member when the load ex* ceeds a predetermined limit. Y

3. In a draft device, the combination of a body member, means whereby the same may be connected to a source of power, a beam having lugs extending into said body member for providing a driving connection between the beam and the body member, an ejecting device for removing said lugs from Within said body member when the load increases beyond a predetermined limit, and cushioning means interposed between said body and the means for connecting thesame with a source of power.

4. In a draftdevice, the combination of a body member provided with slots, means whereby the same `may be connected with a source of power, a beam having pins re ceived within the slots in the body member, and means active when the draft exceeds a predetermined limit to eject said pins from within the slots whereby to permit separation of the body member and the beam under continued draft. Y i

5. In a draft device, the combination with a body having side members provided with slots, of a beam arranged between said members of said body and provided with pinsv received within said slots, dogs slidably car ried by the side members and having means for normally retaining said pins within said slots, and means to remove said dogs from locking engagement with said pins when the draft exceeds a predetermined limit.

6. In a draft device, the combination with a` body having side members provided with slots in their opposed sides, of a beam having pins slidably arranged in said slots and normally seating in the front ends of the same, dogs arranged on the oppositesides of said beam and having their rear portions normally overhanging said pins for securing the same within said slots, said dogs being provided with means for ejecting said pins from their seats atV the front ends ofsaid slots, a belt haring wneectioe with Sad @gaaf- 1@ yicldable draft devices connected with said o t. f

7. In a draft device, the combination with a body having a slot and a seat at the front end of the slot, of a beam provided with a pin received within said slot and engaging said seat, a dog having a longitudinal slot receiving said pin for normally confining the pin within the seat at the end of said first named slot, and means hfor moving said dog longitudinally away from said pin, the rear portion of said dog being provided with meansl for ejecting said pin from the seat in the first named slot when the draft exceeds a predetermined limit. 8. In a draft device, the combination with a body having side members provided with L-shaped slots, of a beam provided with laterally projecting pins received within said L-shaped slots, dogs having means for securing said pins within said slots, a bolt connected to theforward portion of said dogs for moving the same longitudinally away from said pins, the rear portions of said dogs being provided with upwardly inclined ejectors for removing said pins from within the vertical portions of said slots, and yieldable draft devices connected to said body and dogs.

9. In a draft device, the combination with a body having spaced parallel side members formed with L-shaped slots and upwardly inclined slots, of a beam provided with laterally projecting pins seated in the inner portions of said L-shaped slots, appair of dogs having means for securing said pins within said L-shaped slots, a draft device connected to the forward portion of said dogs, the rear' portions of said dogs being provided with means for ejecting said pins from the inner portions of said L-shaped slots when the -draft exceeds a predetermined limit, said pins being free to pass out through said upwardly inclined slots upon leaving said inner portions of the Lsshaped slots, and means whereby said body may be connected to a source of power.

l0. In a draft device, the combination with a body inclusive of a head and side members, of a beam having means for engaging said side members and receiving draft therefrom, a bolt extendingthrough said head, yieldable draft rods connected with said bolt, a clevis attached to said bolt for ,connecting the same to` a source of power, and ejecting devices having connection with said bolt for 'releasing the beam from theside members when the draft exceeds a predetermined limit. y

11. In a draft device, the combination with a body inclusive of a head and side members provided with slots, ofV abeam hav,- ing laterallyprojecting pins received within said slots, a bolt extending through said head, yeldable rods connected to eadbody and said bolt, dogs slidably carried by said body and provided with slots receivingsaid bolt, the rear portion of said dogs being provided with means for releasing said pins from locking engagement with said slot-s in the side members when the draft exceeds a predetermined limit.

1Q. In a draft device, the combination with a body member inclusive of a head and side members provided with L-shaped slots and upwardly inclined slots, of a beam arranged between said side members and having laterally projecting pins received within said L-shaped slots, said head being provided with a longitudinally extending slot, a bolt extending through the slot in said head, yieldable draft rods connected to said bolt and said body, a clevis attached to said bolt, ejecting means for releasing the pins from locking enga-gementwith the L-shaped slots, said ejectin' means being slidably carried by said body and having connection with said bolt, and means whereby the ejecting means may be positioned to normally confine said pins within said L-shaped slots.

13. In a draft device, the combination with a body inclusive of a head provided with a longitudinal slot and side members connected to said head, of a beam detachably` connected to said side members, a bolt slidably extended through the longitudinal slot in said head, draft rods arranged on opposite sides of said side members and connected to said bolt, springs for providing yieldable connection between said draft rods and said side members, a releasing device having sliding connection with said bolt and adapted for disconnecting said beam from said members when the draft exceeds a predetermined limit, and an attaching device for connecting said bolt to a source of power.

14. In a draft device, the combination with a body member, and means whereby the same may be connected with a source of power, of a beam having laterally projecting pins detachably connected to said body member, and releasing devices carried by said body member and adapted to release the laterally projecting pins of said beam from locking engagement with said body member when the load exceeds a predetermined limit.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures.

EDWIN G. HINES. [n s] CHARLES S. MYERS. 

